20gal pots for an electric HERMS brewery?

I'm putting together a 10gal electric brewery with a HERMS system and was thinking 15 or 20gal pots. what size would be better and what would be good pots for The system at a reasonable price (including valves if possible)?

 

15gal is fine. You're best bet is sanke kegs modified. Stainless or bust my friend.

 

If you are planning 10 gal batches I would go with a 20 gal pot. I did 10 gal brews in a 15 gal kettle and have since moved to a 20 gal kettle. Much less stressful when it comes to the chance of boil overs.

Check these out at StainlessStockPots.com You would need to add a bulkhead and valve, but that's not that difficult. I did it and i ain't all that adept at that kind of stuff

 

yea 10 finished gallons (12-13 preboil) is the max you can comfortably do in a sankey kettle. 20 gallon would be great if you can find it, but kegs are normally easier to come by or are cheaper. atleast around here.

 

Or these

100 Qt. Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Stockpot with Cover

 

If you want 10 gallons of finished beer (i.e. 2 FULL cornies), 15 gallon kettles is a compromise. 20 gallons is fine. I make batches aiming for a 12 gallon post boil volume and I'm building my next gen system around 25 gallon vessels. I currently have a 15 gal kettle. It sucks. It makes beer just fine, it's just a PITA when your pre-boil volume comes with about an inch and a half of the lip of the kettle.

 

If you want to do 10gal batches comfortably and and can swing it, get the 20gal. You won't regret it.

You'll find very few threads on here with people complaining that their kettles are too big.

 

You can get those same pots for a bit cheaper on Amazon.com.